Typewriter with sliding tambour cover

ABSTRACT

A typewriter or like apparatus having a built-in tambour cover which provides a readily available closure for the typewriter for storage and transport purposes, the tambour cover being operatively connected to the rearward portion of the housing which is slidable and which is caused to be moved by movement of the cover to open and closed positions.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,837,464 Baughman et al. Sept. 24, 1974 [54] TYPEWRITER WITH SLIDING TAMBOUR 1,995,059 3 1935 Grange 312/208 COVER 2,805,910 9/1957 Townsend 312/273 3,259,173 7/1966 Manning 312/208 UX Inventors: Karl Baughman, L o s 3,351,405 11/1967 Ferdinand et a1 312/297 Richard L. Shannon, Piqua, Ohio [73] Assignee: Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Primary Examiner-Robert E. Bagwill I11. Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Arnstein, Gluck, 22 Filed: Oct. 15, 1973 wetzenfeld [21] Appl. No.: 406,226

[57] ABSTRACT 521 US. Cl. 197/186 R, 150/52 R A typewriter or like apparatus having a biiili-in 51 1111. c1 B41 j 29/02 boar cover which Provides a readily available closure [58] Field of Search 197/ 186; 150/52 R; for the typewriter for Storage and transport P p 312/208, 297, 244, 271, 273-274 the tambour cover being operatively connected to the rearward portion of the housing which is slidable and 5 References Cited which is caused to be moved by movement of the UNITED STATES PATENTS cover to open and closed positions. 1,231,233 6/1917 Bertram 312/297 x 5 515mg, 11 mawigfigais" =-=1T=11=| 2 L\\ F'- K 36 1\;,

/ 1 1 W a 22 .31 l' I11 3h 1 11l 1111i; 11' 1. 15 5 Hum/ iil im iiiii l'ir 54 53 n 1 nlt t mf;. :s i 7 5 PAIENTEDsEmmM 3'. am; 464 men a or a 1 TYPEWRITER WITH SLIDING TAMBOUR COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable typewriter or like apparatus having a built-in tambour cover which provides a readily available closure for the typewriter for storage and transport purposes.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a portable typewriter or like apparatus having a built-in slidable tambour cover which provides a closure for the typewriter for storage and transport purposes, thereby eliminating the requirement for a separate case or housing for enclosing the typewriter.

Another object of this invention is the provision in a portable typewriter or like apparatus of a built-in closure means which affords a substantial reduction in weight over corresponding conventional typewriters thereby making it more convenient for transport.

A further object of this invention is the provision in a typewriter or like apparatus of a slidable tambour closure which may be readily slid to open position to place the typewriter in condition for operation and correspondingly slid to closed position for transport of the typewriter.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following de- I scription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable typewriter constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with the tambour cover in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the typewriter illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the tam-bour cover retracted and the typewriter in condition for operation;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating structural details;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the parts in a different position of operation;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially'on line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of structural details;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 10-10 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the handle for the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is related particularly to the housing of a typewriter or like apparatus, such as an adding'machine or calculator, which encloses the operative mechanism, the latter of which forms no part of the invention. The housing of the present invention comprises a base 10, formed as by molding or casting from a suitable metallic or non-metallic material, having a bottom and front, rear'and'sidewalls 12, 13, 14

and 15, respectively. The forward portions of the sidewalls 14 and 15 are formed in cross-section substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8 providing spaced parallel wall portions 16 and 17, the upper edges of wall portions 16 being recessed as at 18 to provide opposed shoulders for a purpose, as will be hereinafter described. Formed integrally with the base 11, at each side, is a wall portion 19 which affords support for the sliding portion 21 of the housing, as will be hereinafter explained. A U-shaped handle 22 has legs 23 which are slidably received in the spaces between the wall portions 16 and 17. Each leg is provided at its end with an inwardly directed lug 24 which is arranged to ride in the recess 18 of the wall portion 19. Thus, the handle 22 may be moved within the limits of the recesses 18 to retracted or extended positions. Integral with the bottom 11 are a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally extending ribs or guide rails 26 which guide the tambour member 27, hereinafter to be described.

The typewriter mechanism is conventional but is supported on a pair of allochiral side members 28 secured thereto, each of said members comprising a vertical planar portion, shaped substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4, and forward and rearward laterally extending wings 29 and 31. the forward wing 29 is elevated slightly above the rearward wing 31 and is suitably drilled to provide apertures arranged to register with bosses in the base to receive screws for effecting securement of the member 28 to the base. The rearward wing 31 is provided with a longitudinal slot 32, the forward portion 32a of which is of greater width, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Each of the rearward wings 31 is suitably perforated to receive screws which are engaged in threaded bosses provided in the base.

The apron 33 of the typewriter is supported on the side members 28 (FIG. 8) and is provided at the top portion thereof with elongated bosses 34 which overhang respective side members 28. It will be noted in FIG. 4, that the upper edge of each side member 28 merges smoothly into the surface of a respective boss 34 and provides a smooth continuous support or track for the movement of the tambour 27. In assembled relation as seen in FIG. 10 each of the forward wings 29 overlies a space containing a leg 23 of the handle 22 and secures the handle against inadvertent displacement while permitting sliding movement thereof. The housing also includes a pair of allochiral side members 36, each of which is provided with suitable threaded bosses for effecting securement to the base 10. Further, as seen in FIG. 8, the upper edge of the side member 36 overhangs member 28 and is provided with a recess 37 opening downwardly and spaced from the edge of the member to afford a guide and retaining means for the tambour 27.

The tambour 27 in essence is a roll top formed of connected articulated sections and has a longitudinally extending groove 38in one surface and spaced from a each side edge, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10. The

leading edge of the tambour 27 is provided with a hand The moveable housing portion 21 illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 9, comprises top, rear and side walls 47, 48 and 49, respectively. Each sidewall has a forwardly extending arm 51, each arm being shaped substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9 and including a depending substantially L-shaped portion 52 having a lateral leg or flange 53. Fixed to the end of the arm 51 is a vertically depending pin 54, the lower end of which extends downwardly and terminates just short of the bottom 11.

Referring to FIG. 4, in assembling the housing portion 21, the L-shaped portion 52 together with the pin 54 is passed through the enlarged portion 32a of the slot 32 in the wing 31 so that it is now interlocked with the wing 31 as shown in FIG. 8. This prevents inadvertent displacement of the housing portion 21 but permits sliding movement of the same relative to the wings 31. The housing portion 21 is provided with an undercut strip 56 extending along the forward edge of the top wall 47 and is adapted to be engaged by the hook portion 39 of the tambour 27 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The forward vertical edges of the side walls 49 of the housing portion 21 are shaped to cooperate with the rearward edges of the sidewalls 36 so that when closure is effected the parts assume the relationship, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In extended or open position the housing portion 21 assumes the position, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3, rearwardly of the paper support mechanism or carriage 57, and affording access to the carriage and clearance for its movement.

In use, when the tambour 27 is in closed position, the mechanism of the typewriter is completely concealed and protected against injury and dust and the tambour 27 is secured against inadvertent shifting by reason of the hook end 39 being in engagement with the undercut strip 56. In such condition, the handle 22 may be easily pulled out and the typewriter may be carried from one place to another. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the member 41 now is located in close proximity to the forward end of the typewriter.

In order to condition the typewriter for use, the hook end 39 is disengaged and the operator may now readily slide the tambour 27 to open position in which movement the member 41 becomes the leading edge of the tambour moving to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, so that the fingers 44 are caused to engage the pin 54 which enters the mouth 45 and engages in the circular recess 46. Continued movement of the tambour 27 will effect sliding movement of the rear housing portion 21 to the right, substantially to the position illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 4, and also as illustrated in FIG. 3, whereby the keys 60 and carriage 57 are uncovered rendering them available for use. In fully uncovered position, the tambour 27 occupies substantially the full surface of the bottom of the base 11 and as seen in FIG. 3 movement of the tambour to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, is restricted by engagement of the hook end 39 with the top edge of the front wall 12 of the base.

To effect closure of the tambour 27 the hook end 39 is grasped by the operator and drawn rearwardly or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. Such movement draws the housing portion 21 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, to fully closed position wherein the edges of the side members 36 are in abuttment with the edges of the sidewalls 49. At that point the resilient fingers 44 are caused to yield to effect disengagement with the pin 54 so that the tambour 27 may continue to move to the fully closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A housing for a typewriter and like apparatus having printing control keys and paper support mechanism, said housing comprising, a base, a pair of sidewall members attached to said base and terminating rearwardly short of said paper support mechanism, a movable housing portion including side, top and rear wall portions and arranged complementary to said base and sidewall members, means supporting said movable housing portion for horizontal sliding movement to alternatively conceal and expose said paper support mechanism, a flexible panel arranged for selective sliding movement over said base and between said sidewall members to conceal said control keys, interengaging means carried on said movable housing portion and said flexible panel for connecting said movable housing portion and said flexible panel, said panel when being moved into a position over said base to expose said control keys concurrently moving said movable housing portion rearwardly to expose said paper support mechanism and said panel when being moved into position to conceal said control keys moving said movable n iaplt on .1 999F 11,$ q,P?P EPP.U e nism. said flexible panel comprises atambour and there being guide means on said base and said sidewall members for guiding said tambour in its movement.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the interengaging means are self releasable.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which the interengaging means comprise a pair of yieldable fingers and a member received between said fingers.

7 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 including cooperating locking means on confronting edges of said top wall portion and said flexible panel to lock said panel in closed position. 

1. A housing for a typewriter and like apparatus having printing control keys and paper support mechanism, said housing comprising, a base, a pair of sidewall members attached to said base and terminating rearwardly short of said paper support mechanism, a movable housing portion including side, top and rear wall portions and arranged complementary to said base and sidewall members, means supporting said movable housing portion for horizontal sliding movement to alternatively conceal and expose said paper support mechanism, a flexible panel arranged for selective sliding movement over said base and bEtween said sidewall members to conceal said control keys, interengaging means carried on said movable housing portion and said flexible panel for connecting said movable housing portion and said flexible panel, said panel when being moved into a position over said base to expose said control keys concurrently moving said movable housing portion rearwardly to expose said paper support mechanism and said panel when being moved into position to conceal said control keys moving said movable housing portion to conceal said paper support mechanism, said flexible panel comprises a tambour and their being guide means on said base and said sidewall members for guiding said tambour in its movement.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the interengaging means are self releasable.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the interengaging means comprise a pair of yieldable fingers and a member received between said fingers.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the interengaging means comprise a resilient first member having a slot and a second member received in said slot.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 including cooperating locking means on confronting edges of said top wall portion and said flexible panel to lock said panel in closed position. 